Zen Quest Articles

  Stupid to Beautiful This blog is a little late, but I guess a little late is better than never. At the beginning of 2025 (yes, you read that correctly— 2025 ), my kids and I started a challenge. We decided to run at least one mile every single day. We could run more, but one mile was non-negotiable. The challenge officially started on January 1st, 2025 , right in the middle of winter. Those early months were tough. Running in the cold, snow, wind, and below-zero temperatures made some days far more challenging than others. But it was new, and we checked in with each other often, which made it more tolerable—even motivating. As we entered the summer months, running became much easier. The weather improved, and it’s always nicer when you don’t have to battle snow and wind just to get out the door. On the flip side, the check-ins became fewer and farther between. We were all on our own. As my runs continued into the last three months of the year, the weather turned again. Winter ret...

Food Can Be Fun, Healthy, and Taste Good For a long time, cooking felt more like a chore than a pleasure. Recipes seemed complicated, ingredients were unfamiliar, and I assumed that “good cooks” were born with some special talent I didn’t have. Recently, though, something changed—I discovered the joy of cooking, and with it, a new way of looking at food. I’ll be the first to admit that I’m probably not very good by most people’s standards. I don’t always follow recipes perfectly, and some meals turn out better than others. But I’ve found that none of that really matters. What does matter is that I enjoy the process, I’m learning as I go, and I’m having fun experimenting with healthy options that actually taste good. Letting Go of “Perfect” One of the biggest surprises for me was realizing that cooking doesn’t have to be perfect to be enjoyable. You don’t need fancy tools, professional techniques, or hours of free time. Sometimes it’s as simple as throwing a few ingredients together, t...

  Spark or Flame? Why Habits Outlast Motivation When people set big goals, they often think motivation is everything. They wait for that perfect moment of inspiration—only to realize those moments are rare and short-lived. The truth is simple: motivation is temporary. Habits, on the other hand, are what keep progress moving forward. Here’s a quick story. Imagine someone planning a big hiking trip. They’re so focused on reaching the summit that they barely notice the beauty along the way. When they finally get there, the view is incredible—but they realize they missed countless amazing moments on the trail. That experience teaches an important lesson: if you only care about the destination, you miss the joy of the journey. Building habits works the same way. It’s not about waiting for the big win—it’s about appreciating the small steps that get you there. Motivation vs. Habits Motivation is like a spark—it can ignite action, but it burns out quickly. Habits are the steady flame that...